A large majority of Barcelona’s residents now favour tougher limits on tourism, according to a new survey by GESOP for El Periódico. The poll shows 71.1% of respondents support measures to halt the growth of visitor numbers in the city, compared with just 25.1% who disagree.
The demographic most in favour of restrictions are women under 30, with approval reaching 81.7%. Men aged 30 to 40 are the least supportive, though still a majority at 61%. Political leanings play a clear role too: nearly all voters of the far-left CUP (93.2%) support restrictions, alongside strong backing from BComú (86.5%) and ERC (80%). More moderate support is seen among Junts (68.2%) and PSC (64.5%). By contrast, only 53.5% of PP voters and just 38% of Vox voters favour curbs.
The city’s housing market is central to the debate. Seven in ten residents (71.1%) endorse banning tourist apartments altogether, a measure already pledged by mayor Jaume Collboni for 2028. Meanwhile, two-thirds support reducing cruise ship arrivals. This follows a recent agreement between the city and port authorities to cut cruise passenger capacity by 16% through the demolition of three terminals and the construction of a single, more modern facility.
What was once a fringe demand has now become mainstream, reflecting deep fatigue among residents over the pressures of mass tourism and its impact on housing, public space and quality of life.
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